Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of Edward Warwick, a blacksmith, born 1844 in Leamington, Warwickshire and his wife Mary Ann Warwick (nee Thornett, married in the 3rd quarter of 1863 in the Coventry, Warwickshire district), born 1845 in Kenilworth, Warwickshire. William, a schoolboy, was born in 1877 in Heywood, Lancashire, his siblings were, Emily Maud, a cotton trade reeler, born 1864 in Leamington, Annie, a schoolgirl, born 1869, Sarah, a schoolgirl, born 25th August 1870, Edward W., a schoolboy, born 24th December 1872 and Florence, born 18th May 1879, the latter four siblings were all born in Heywood, in April 1881 the family home was at 40, Backoth Moss, Heap, Bury, Lancashire. In April 1891 William was residing in the family home at 28, Clemens Street, Leamington Priors, Warwickshire, together with his father, a whitesmith, his mother and siblings, Edward, a whitesmith, Fred, born 24th April 1881 in Heywood, Emily, a dressmaker, Annie, a dressmaker, Sarah, a dressmaker, Florence, Edith, born 29th October 1883 in Heywood and Gertrude, born 2nd November 1887 in Leamington. In March 1901 William was absent from the family home at 28, Clemens Street, Leamington Priors, residing there was his father, a whitesmith, his mother and siblings, Emily, Anne, Edward, a whitesmith, Florence, a post office clerk, Fred, a whitesmith, Edith and Gertrude, William was employed as an ironmonger’s manager and was residing as a boarder at 16, Egerton Road, Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire. In April 1911 William was employed as an ironmonger and was residing in the family home at 25, Craven Street, Melton Mowbray, together with his wife Ellen Warwick (nee Buckley, married on the 23rd April 1906 in Lillington, Leamington Spa, Warwickshire), born 1877 in Ormskirk, Lancashire and their children, Lilian Mary, born 4th April 1907 and John Edward, born 29th May 1910, both children were born in Melton Mowbray.
William attested into the Army on a Short Service engagement (For the Duration of the War, with the Colours and in the Army Reserve.) on the 9th December 1915 in Melton Mowbray. He gave his full address as 25, Craven Street, Melton Mowbray, his age as 38 years and 305 days and his trade or calling as ironmonger’s manager. He confirmed that he was married. He gave his wife Ellen Warwick of 25, Craven Street, Melton Mowbray as his next of kin. His medical examination took place on the 1st January 1917 and recorded his place of birth as Heywood, Lancashire, his apparent age as 39 years and 340 days, his trade or calling as ironmonger’s manager and that he was 5 foot 7¼ inches in height, weighed 134 pounds and he had a chest measurement of between 32 and 36 inches. He gave his religion as Church of England. After attestation on the 9/12/15 in Leicester he was transferred as Private, service number 187961 to the Army Reserve on the 10/12/15. Mobilized on the 27/10/17. Posted as Gunner to the Royal Artillery, No. 4 Depot, South Camp, Ripon on the 27/10/17. Posted to the 506th Siege Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery at Catterick Camp on the 19/11/17. Posted to the 261st Siege Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery on the 30/3/18. Embarked from Southampton to join the British Expeditionary Force in France on the 30/3/18. Disembarked Le Havre on the 31/3/18. Joined the 261st Siege Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery, in the field on the 19/9/18. Killed in action on the 13/10/18. His body was exhumed from his battlefield grave, and re-buried in Dadizeele New British Cemetery, 8½ miles East of Ypres on the 17/8/20. A summary of his service records: Reserve, 9/12/15 – 26/10/17, 1 year 321 days. Home Service, 27/10/17 – 29/3/18, 153 days. British Expeditionary Force, France, 30/8/18 – 13/10/18, 45 days. Total service 2 years 154 days. He was awarded the British War and Victory medals. William’s widow and two children were awarded a weekly pension of twenty five shillings and 5 pence to commence on the 12th February 1919.
On the 24th February 1919 the Officer in charge of Royal Garrison Artillery Records, Dover forwarded William’s personal effects to his widow at 25, Craven Street, Melton Mowbray, and an acknowledgement of receipt was dated the 26th February 1919. Additionally a letter was sent on the 26th February 1919 from William’s widow and reads:- Dear Sir, I understand that two ten shilling notes and some French money were sent from the Battery to the Base with my husband’s effects. Could not this also be sent to me. Yours Sincerely E. Warwick. A note in the corner reads:- -?- 3/3/19 no cash seen.
An earlier document from the Officer in charge of Royal Garrison Artillery Records, Dover reads as follows:- The attached enquiry regarding the effects of the above named (187961, Gunner Warwick, W.) are passed to you. The under mentioned have been received here and not dealt with as stated. EFFECTS:- To you under Inventory No.6. R.O./717/15 dated 4/1/19. CASH:- £1.0.0. (English) and 12 Francs 65 Centimes (French) credited to deceased’s account through Base cashier.
A continuation of the above letter dated 6/1/19 from D.A.G. Base reads:- 187961. Gnr. Warwick, W. Herewith attached letter A.F.W.3190 and above Gunner’s effects were forwarded by me on the 16-10-18 and up to the present no effects form No.9 has been received by me stating they have been received by you. Would you therefore make necessary arrangements and inform me if same have arrived at your depot please. This letter was received by A.G.’s Branch, Effects (Men), G.H.Q., 3rd Echelon on the 10/1/19.
The following information was provided by William’s widow Ellen Warwick on the 16th June 1919, and was witnessed and signed by R. W. Brownlow, J.P., 38, Burton Road, Melton Mowbray on ARMY FORM W. 5080 (Information on deceased soldier’s family) Widow of soldier, Ellen Warwick of 25, Craven Street, Melton Mowbray. Children of soldier, Lilian Mary Warwick, born April 4th 1917 of 25, Craven Street, Melton Mowbray. John Edward Warwick, born May 29th 1910 of 25, Craven Street, Melton Mowbray. Father of soldier, Edward Warwick of Leamington Spa. Mother of soldier, Mary Warwick of Leamington Spa.
William’s surviving service documents are in a very poor condition, and much of the finer detail relating to the period of time that he spent in the Army, is either illegible or missing, hence the sparse overall description of his military and personal family history.
On Friday October 25th 1918 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “MELTON AND THE WAR.”- MELTON SOLDIER’S KILLED. Mrs. Warwick, 25, Craven-street, Melton Mowbray, has received information that her husband, Gunner W. Warwick, Royal Garrison Artillery, was killed in action on the 13th inst. The news was conveyed in the following letters: “October 16th, 1918. Dear Mrs. Warwick, - It is with great regret I now pen you this letter informing you of the death of your husband, who was unfortunately killed in action. It happened about 3.30pm on the 13th of this month. He was on duty with his gun when an enemy shell exploded quite near him, therefore killing him instantly. I am sure he did not suffer. He was buried quite decently. The majority of my section attended his funeral; also a C.E. Chaplain read the burial service over him. Although he was only about a month in my section I got to know him quite well. He was a good man, and I cannot say too much for him. It is not too much to say that your husband was well thought of and respected by officers and men alike. We are sorry to lose him. Unfortunately I am prevented by the Censorship Regulations from telling you where the grave is situated. I have no doubt the military authorities will inform you, and you may rest assured that as long as we are able we shall keep his resting place as you yourself would like it kept. This will no doubt be a terrible burden for you to bear, but it should cheer you a little to know that he died for England. No one could wish for a better death. The officers, N.C.O’s and men join with me and send you their deepest sympathy. Believe me to be, Yours truly, A. E. Cooper, 2nd Lieut.”
“B.E.F., France. Mrs. Warwick. Dear Madam. – Please accept my deepest sympathy in the great bereavement you have sustained by the loss of your husband, killed in action on the 13th. He was only with the battery for a month, but during the time he took every officer’s admiration for the keenness he showed towards the battery. All his personal belongings have been forwarded; please inform me off their arrival. Your husband was on guard at the time, when a shell fell into the gun pit. The poor boy was killed at once. If I can give you any further information please write to me. Again saying how sorry we all are to lose such a valuable soldier. I remain, Yours truly, T. Horton, Major, R.G.A.” Deceased who was 41 years of age, was well known and highly respected in the town, having been with Mr. Leonard Gill and the late Mr. Frown (who formerly carried on the same ironmongery business) for about 21 years. He joined up last November, and went out to France in March, having previously been a member of the local Volunteers for nearly three years. Much sympathy will be felt for the bereaved widow and two children.